As of the end of April 2025, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports reached USD 1.62 billion, down 14% year-on-year. Notably, durian export value stood at only USD 130 million—significantly lower than the USD 500 million achieved in the same period last year.

According to data from the General Department of Customs, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports in April 2025 reached just over USD 520 million, a 13% decrease compared to April 2024. In the first four months of the year, total fruit and vegetable exports amounted to more than USD 1.6 billion, down 10.5% from the same period last year.

China, Vietnam’s largest market for fruits and vegetables, imported only USD 777 million worth of produce, a decline of nearly 33% year-on-year. Nevertheless, China still accounted for approximately 46% of the total fruit and vegetable export value. The U.S. and South Korea followed, with shares of 9% (USD 154 million) and 6% (USD 101 million), respectively.

Durian exports at risk of supply chain disruption

Durian exports fell drastically by 74% compared to the same period last year, reaching only USD 130 million in the first four months of 2025—far below the previous year’s USD 500 million. Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, Secretary-General of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (VINAFRUIT), stated that difficulties in the Chinese market have dragged down the overall export results for the sector.

Meanwhile, several other fruit categories showed strong growth. Mango exports reached over USD 100 million, up 27% year-on-year, and coconut exports hit USD 66 million, up 18%.

Amid the overall gloomy picture, processed fruit exports remained a bright spot. In the first four months of 2025, Vietnam ranked as the 11th largest supplier of processed fruit to the U.S., up 57.7% year-on-year. Exports of bananas, jackfruit, mangoes, longans, lychees, and dragon fruit—especially in fresh, frozen, and dried forms—also showed strong potential.

"Since the beginning of the year, China has tightened quality control for imported durians. New regulations on quarantine, cadmium residue, Sudan IV, and traceability have led to numerous rejections of non-compliant shipments, breaking the consumption chain," Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen noted.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien shared that in April 2025, the Ministry signed four export protocols with China’s General Administration of Customs, including agreements on chili and passion fruit exports. These protocols are expected to boost fruit and vegetable exports this year.

Regarding the challenges in durian exports and the potential “breakdown” in its supply chain, Deputy Minister Tien said the Ministry had directed relevant units to implement both short- and long-term measures to ease durian exports. This is considered a key priority, with efforts focused on rapidly finalizing legal frameworks, standards, and procedures for this high-potential fruit.

In 2024, fruit and vegetable exports reached nearly USD 7.2 billion, up 27% from 2023. Durian topped the list with USD 3.3 billion, followed by dragon fruit at around USD 435 million, then bananas, mangoes, and other products like jackfruit, coconuts, and watermelons. The sector aims to reach USD 8 billion in exports in 2025, but Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen believes this target will be difficult to achieve, given the sharp decline in the first four months.

Lychee season brings fresh hope

In light of the downturn in fruit exports, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is now placing high hopes on the upcoming lychee export season.

On May 11, 2025, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy inspected lychee production and consumption in Bac Giang province. According to the province’s report, this year Bac Giang has about 29,700 hectares of lychee, including 8,000 hectares of early-season lychee, with the remainder in the main season. Current fruit development is strong, with a fruit set rate of over 80%, and an estimated yield of over 165,000 tons.

“The total national lychee output in 2025 is expected to reach approximately 303,000 tons, up 30% compared to last year. The Ministry aims to export about 40% of that volume,” said Mr. Le Thanh Hoa, Deputy Director of the Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development.

Early lychee harvesting in Bac Giang is expected from May 20 to June 15, and the main crop from June 10 to July 20. The province plans a series of promotional events, including a lychee promotion conference, a trade mission to the China–ASEAN Expo in Guangxi, and trade promotion events targeting European markets.

At the working session, Bac Giang’s Chairman Nguyen Viet Oanh asked the Ministry to support the province in resolving production and export issues. He also requested upgrades to Hanoi's irradiation center or the construction of a new one in the North to serve lychee exports to the U.S. and Australia.

According to the Department of Agricultural Product Quality, Processing and Market Development, a notable development this year is Japan’s decision to allow Vietnam to self-monitor lychee quarantine processes, eliminating the need to send Japanese experts. Additionally, the U.S. recently approved three new planting area codes in Bac Giang, bringing the province’s total to over 240 codes covering nearly 18,000 hectares.

Minister Do Duc Duy praised Bac Giang’s detailed preparations and urged the province to monitor weather conditions and pests closely. He emphasized that pesticide residue testing must not be neglected, as it is essential for international market access. The province should also maintain flexible sales strategies and provide real-time market updates to support growers and cooperatives.

The Minister also stressed the importance of logistics and post-harvest preservation, calling them the “soft infrastructure” that determines lychee competitiveness. He encouraged Bac Giang to collaborate with businesses to invest in cold storage and on-site processing centers to reduce losses and extend shelf life.

Source: VnEconomy